Twenty students from Landau Forte College Derby spent a week on the Caribbean island, learning the language of Kwéyòl and learning about the island’s rich history, food and customs.

Twenty lucky students from Landau Forte College Derby have recently returned from a week on the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean.

The Landau students, accompanied by three members of staff, had the trip of a lifetime, learning the language of Kwéyòl (Creole) and learning about the island’s rich history, food and customs.

The youngsters had Kwéyòl lessons with two sisters, Twossaints, who are passionate about sharing the language and campaigning for the language to be taught in St Lucian schools.

The Landau party visited Pigeon Island, a heritage site in St Lucia

placeholder image — The Landau party visited Pigeon Island, a heritage site in St Lucia

They travelled to Casteries (the capital of St Lucia) where they took part in an art workshop with a popular artist on the Island, Perry, who specialises in wall murals and artwork that portrays vibrant energy. They also visited the Morne Fortune Museum and Art Gallery there.

The Landau party visited Pigeon Island, a heritage site in St Lucia that was once an island, but is now attached to the main Island of St Lucia by a man-made causeway. Here the students learnt about the historical significance of Pigeon Island as a strategic military outpost and the site of key battles between the British and France.

The students travelled to Fond Doux Eco-Resort, located within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Soufrière on a historic 19th-century working cocoa estate.

They enjoyed a tour of the plantation where they picked some cocoa and tried the seeds inside; they visited the on-site museum, where they learnt about freedom fighters (marron or neg maron), notably Flore Bois Gaillard, who played a key role in the island’s resistance against the French and the British.

The Landau students had a chance to try out lots of local food

After this, they had a tour of the features of the Qualibou caldera, or Soufrière Volcanic Centre, and saw the Toraille waterfall and got to cover themselves in the mineral rich mud at the sulphur springs.

In an action-packed week, there were also opportunities for the young people to relax; they enjoyed swimming in the sea at Reduit Beach and dining on the beach in Soufrière.

The trip also gave them a chance to try out lots of local food - fresh mango, pineapple and soursop, a range of chicken and fish dishes, accompanied by many other foods such as fried plantain and breadfruit.

Nicole Collington, the teacher who organised the trip, said: “We can not commend the students enough for their behaviour, engagement, enthusiasm, respect and openness on this visit.

The youngsters enjoyed an art workshop in Casteries, the capital of St Lucia

“The trip was intense, but the students took it all in their stride; they were willing to try new things and foods, they were considerate of being immersed into a new culture and were sensitive and interested when learning about the history of St Lucia.

“We, as staff, are so grateful to have shared this unique experience with this group of students - it will forever be a highlight of our careers.”

Alison Brannick, Principal of Landau Forte College Derby, said: “Our students are absolutely brimming with enthusiasm on the return from their amazing visit to St Lucia.

“They got so much enrichment from this trip and were an absolute credit to Landau Forte College throughout their visit and we are very proud of how well they represented us.

“We remain committed to developing our students to be active, responsible citizens, who are ready to make an impact on their local, national and global community.”